Baltimore is bracing for potential storms as the City of Baltimore issued an update on a flood watch that's in effect starting this afternoon. Announced by Mayor Brandon M. Scott, the watch was reported to have started at 2:00 p.m. today and will continue till 2:00 a.m. Friday, per the city's official communication. The Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is currently monitoring weather conditions and has prepped the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to activate in response to the flooding risk.
Anticipating the downpour, a slew of road closures have kicked in across the city. According to the City of Baltimore news release, Harbor East has been experiencing closures along Aliceanna Street between Caroline and Bond Streets, and Caroline Street between Thames and Aliceanna Streets since 2:00 p.m. Additionally, precautionary measures have led to other road closures, with streets in typical low-lying areas being shut down if necessary, to help manage the flooding.
Meanwhile, for Baltimore residents trying to shore up against the potential waters, sandbags are being doled out at three locations until 3:00 p.m. today: the corner of Thames St. and Broadway in Fells Point, the Stillmeadow Church on Frederick Ave in Irvington, and outside Mervo High School on Hillen Rd. Not to be caught off guard, the Baltimore City Department of Transportation is the one handling the distribution, as confirmed by the press release.
For flood-zone parked vehicles, officials are offering safe harbor in a couple of garages. The Fleet & Eden Garage on S. Eden Street and the Little Italy Parking Garage on S. Central Avenue waived fees starting at 2:00 p.m. today, with a 9:00 a.m. tomorrow deadline to move cars out.
